NYC

Last week we decided to take a last minute extended weekend vacation, and after a little searching for flights and hotels, chose NYC as our destination. We booked our flights and hotel on Thursday evening and left Friday afternoon. Since this was my first trip to the Big Apple, we hit most of the major landmarks: Statue of Liberty, Central Park, The Rock, Empire State, Grand Central Station, Times Square, Little Italy, Wall Street, saw Jersey Boys, ate lots of yummy Italian and filled my craving for desserts. As we walked through Manhattan, we dreamed of what it would be like to live there and how little square footage the cost of our home would translate to. Our feet were so sore by Tuesday night, but it was definitely worth it. 

The Friday we left, I started into my 25th week! We still haven't picked a name, but have a few we like. It's hard to believe we have nearly three months until our little 'Bamboo' arrives! We start our first parenting class this week at our church. We are very excited to take it along with four other couples we are close with. Matt and I are also going to a parenting class on Tuesday evening held at a Christian pregnancy center just down the street from us. Not only are we wanting to take advantage of every learning opportunity we can, but we also hope to connect with other couples and find a way to serve our community.  

22 Weeks!

We are 22 weeks, and our little Bamboo (nickname until we decide on his name) is very active!  We've purchased a few big items for the nursery, and I have chosen fabric for the bedding. I am so thrilled about it, because Shanas, a good friend of mine since childhood, is making all the bedding! What a blessing! As we have started to research what we want, it's become difficult not to get caught up in all the baby must haves. There is a lot of pressure to have the top notch items, cutest decor, and everything else the baby industry throws our way. Matt and I have been memorizing Romans 8, and spending a lot of time meditating on how that passage applies to us. One aspect I've felt convicted on relates to vs 5; "Those who live according to the sinful nature, have their minds set on what that nature desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." My materialistic, sinful desires want to have all the nice things and a room worthy to be photographed and placed in a baby magazine. Although there is no sin in having nice things, it's not to become my obsession or goal. I've been praying lately that my mind will be set on what the Spirit desires, with baby planning and everyday as I strive to live my life worthy to be called His child!

Matt has been working very hard getting our yard finished - a project that has been in the works since he moved in nearly 2 years ago. He is such a good landscaper! Just this last weekend, we replaced some old shrubs that were in front of our house, and he planted some Hydrangeas for me! He replaced damaged sections of our fence, tilled the backyard, and I think we are laying sod this coming weekend. What a treat it will be to have it complete, and we can enjoy all his hard work! Here he is grilling on his new grill, compliments of his parents and aunt!

She Thought of Everything!

This week I received a package from my Dad that carried an extra special baby present from my Mom. It amazes me how far in advance she planned. She had written a card to me, a letter to our Baby Boy and had Cindy Durfee make a beautiful baby quilt with handkerchiefs she had collected. The collection included some from my Mom, Grandmother Meda, Great Grandmother Goss, Aunt Elsie, Edith Sims Norton, and Louise Palmer. As I opened and looked at everything, it felt like she was still in Portland and had just sent me a card like she always did; of course reading her words made me feel differently and brought me back to reality. I am very thankful that she did all this work to 'be here' for big moments in my life, but I do wish she could have been able to hold my baby and sing to him!

Last Thursday, Matt, Andy, Crystal, I, and Granddad, Alden, Niki, and kids (via iPhone Skype) watched the screen while the sonographer took all sorts of pictures, measurements and lingered long enough over a specific area to show us we are having a BOY! I definitely enjoyed having older brothers, so it was a nice surprise. I just hit the 21 week marker! Hopefully I am over half way there! He is moving around so often that I wonder when he sleeps :) I love it though. I just wish Matt could understand this feeling too! We moved our guest furniture out of the 'nursery' and set it up in the other spare room. It feels so good to have that done since we had been hoping to do that for some time, but hadn't had a chance to get to it. I've been thinking about colors, placement, themes, names...etc, but have yet to decide on anything. Through this whole process, I am continually reminded how GREAT God is! I am so thankful for the blessing of carrying this child. 

Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow. 

Baby Moon!

We had a very relaxing and an adventurous time in Costa Rica. Sunrise was at 5am, and the weather was perfect for the mornings and afternoons. It down poured most evenings, but it didn't hinder us from any plans. Since it got dark around 6pm, we found ourselves going to bed early and waking up early! We stayed at a little boutique hotel in Jaco...about an hour outside of San Jose on the Pacific side. There were a lot of one inch to two foot lizards around our hotel. Matt only needed to come rescue me once! 

We hiked around Volcano Poas and visited a coffee plantation one day. Thankfully we were not in a hurry, because the signs and roads are all very confusing. We just started feeling comfortable getting around by the time we went home - doesn't it seem to be that way much of the time. Here we are overlooking the lake at the volcano. 

Matt enjoyed tasting the coffee. On the way home, we stopped at a bridge that attracts tourist because of all the crocodiles that gather below. We saw about 15 of them. The food was really tasty! I couldn't get enough fresh fruit. The manager at our hotel suggested a local 'soda' (mom & pop) restaurant that we ate at a couple of times. We had so much to eat for such a tiny price! 

Another day we took a speed boat about 45 minutes to Tortuga Island. We both enjoyed snorkeling until I saw a creepy, long, skinny eel which all of a sudden made me realize how tired and thirsty I was. I quickly swam back to the boat. We walked around the beach, swam in the warm water, were served a yummy lunch and headed back on the speedboat. 

 I am now at week 18! We have an appointment to find out the gender on June 6! Andy and Crystal will be joining us for the momentous occasion. The past few weeks, I have been explaining to Matt how much I can feel the baby swimming around. At certain times, I've grabbed his hand and placed it on my tummy, but he hasn't been able to feel anything. So this morning was very exciting when I took his hand again, and he felt it move for the first time! What a miracle this is! This photo to the left is week 17. We need to take another one soon, because I feel like I've really started to pop out over the last week.

Growing...

I was inspired by Niki, when I was in Portland this last week playing mom to her three angels (I sure do love those kids), to start taking my 'side view' pictures. I had the mindset that I wasn't showing enough for the pictures to be exciting. However, since I'm about to hit week 15, I'm sure my little baby bump will start to pop in no time! Let the progression begin! 

Another growing topic is that we harvested our first batch of snap peas today! I washed them and took them to work for a delicious afternoon snack. Yum! In the pictures you can see how much everything has grown over the past month, and our lovely compost pile :)

We are getting ready to take a babymoon to Costa Rica next week! We are really looking forward to relaxing and enjoying the beautiful surroundings. 

First Sonogram

We had our first sonogram, and wow was it amazing! We got to see and hear our baby's heartbeat and see it wave and kick it's legs! It was such a high. To be able to see what is growing inside of you and is making you feel the way you do, is just amazing. There really is a tiny little being inside of me! 


We also had our first visit with our midwife, and it was very encouraging. Everything seems to be progressing well and on track. We are excited to find out the sex of the baby, so we can start working on the nursery! 

A Baby on the Way

Two weeks ago, Matt and I found out that we are expecting a little one! We are honored that God is entrusting us with a child to love and raise, even if it is sooner than our initial plans. God's timing is perfect though, and we are excited to begin this journey and new phase in our marriage. We have shared the news with our families and close friends, and you can imagine the joy we felt as we received loving support and encouragement. We love sharing this news with each new person!


Our due date is October 28, 2011, and we are in the process of researching birthing methods, doctors, midwives and insurance plans. We are leaning toward a natural birth and have visited a couple of birthing facilities and met with a pro natural doctor at Baylor. We have a lot of support for a natural birth and wish to continue down that path unless complications arise. 


Pregnancy symptoms that prove true for me...

• Fatigue - I am always tired. My new bedtime is 8:30p, and naps are a must. I have been going home for lunch and sleeping whenever I can.
• Bloating - The unfortunate feeling that sweatpants are the only comfortable bottoms. I'm mastering the fashion of dressing up Nike black workout pants. 
• Nausea - Like clockwork, I started feeling nauseous the afternoon of my 6 week marker. Since then, food is my worst enemy. I have recommendations to help ease the intensity that I am anxious to try.
• Mood Swings - Yes, my husband is so understanding!